2021 Subaru Crosstrek - New Engine, Looks, Sport Trim and More!

2021 Subaru Crosstrek is here with a big refresh! The new Crosstrek has a new and more powerful engine, new exterior looks, more standard features and brand new sport trim. Is this the best Crosstrek ever?
Countryside Subaru: www.theautobarnsubaru.com/
To see where this 2021 Crosstrek ranks, check out driversonlyrankings.com

[@davidclark6071]

The most attractive Subaru is one of the most affordable!

[@wildgeese5707]

Great review and love hearing there’s a larger engine now! So excited to get mine.

[@lovinglife8097]

I went to my local subaru car dealer yesterday, thinking just to trade my 2018 Crosstrek to 2021 basic crosstrek. I have never expected to get a great deal with the Sports crosstrek. I love everything about this car.! I'm so 100% happy. Get one for yourself... you'd love it too.

[@pcm7315]

Second review for this gentleman: great reviews. Especially, like his comments on seat comfort! Well done.

[@AustinCatmull]

Great review! My new Sport will be here in just two weeks. Super pumped!

[@DriversOnly]

Congrats, you'll love it!

[@XxGhost141xX]

Thank you for the review!!

[@payasofeo69]

1st video of yours that I’ve seen and you’re pretty good! Keep it up 👍🏼

[@ebred76]

Nice review. Everything I wanted to know about the crosstrek.

[@DriversOnly]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Moonface00z]

30 hp more is so helpful for a crossover. Especially for a vehicle that is capable going offroad and AWD

[@jeffjones4071]

Great review!!!! My current ride is 2012 outback 6sp manual that I love. But I’m sold on this cross trek sport

[@blainegordon770]

I got one with the sport trim and I LOVE it.

[@ingenunis5003]

GREAT REVIEW AS ALWAYS👌🏼

[@henryi9738]

This was an excellent review, thank you !

[@janoycresnova9156]

He bought?

[@DriversOnly]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jmaninaz1]

Great review!! I always appreciate the real world approach to your reviews, as you hit all the main topics I want to know about. Although I like the styling of the Sport better than the Limited, you cannot get LED headlights and fog lights on the Sport, as well as the reverse automatic braking--you have to step up to the Limited trim to get those options. Just found that even on the Limited, no vent or usb for the rear passengers--pretty glaring omission when you are up at the $32.5K level for a Crosstrek Limited. I love Subarus and am glad they at least finally got more power with the Crosstrek, but seems like they swung and missed in a few areas. It is an improvement so they're headed in the right direction. Anyway, excellent video and thanks for bringing this to us--you do a great job and I really like your channel!

[@areyoulying4937]

Great job reviewing!

[@DriversOnly]

Thanks!

[@plain-bagel]

I was going to buy a manual Premium, but test drove the Sport yesterday (equipped as yours is in the videos). The 2.5L is a game changer. It’s a super nice car. Now my head is swirling with a $6k price increase. After tax they gave me a $33k our the door price on the plasma yellow color. Seems steep

[@henriettedyer2410]

Great review. I just got a 2020 limited. Love it! Now I want the Sport. Love that color. Will Subaru ever make a convertible? I'd buy one. 🙋🏿‍♀️

[@ahmedsyed3436]

Great review!!

[@DriversOnly]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@GALTwarrior]

Good Review... love the wheels!

[@DriversOnly]

Thanks! 👍

[@caromero517]

Good overview thanks..

[@RaceGasSmellsGood]

Love the review! Pumped they Subaru finally put the 2.5 in the Crosstrek, the extra power under-the-curve over the 2.0 I’m sure is really gonna be felt when merging onto the highway or overtaking when loaded.

[@RaceGasSmellsGood]

Charles Love nice! So you’re liking it so far? What did you have before this? Did you end up with a Limited or Sport?

[@paulc2548]

I always watch your reviews and I like it when you always tell how the car soaks up the road noise and bumps. I can't wait for the 2021 Forester review... that is the one Subaru that is always in the back of my mind when I am shopping for a car but the Honda CRV and RAV4 kept me from the Subaru because Subaru uses the CVT but now Honda even uses CVT :(. I know, I know CVT is pretty good nowadays but I am old school :).

[@roberthenry9319]

Too bad the CVT is keeping you from a marvelous driving experience. The CVT is awesome. It is not the CVT of 5 years ago. And, it makes a geared automatic transmission obsolete.

[@ericjmei]

Nice reviews 👍 and the roads so familiar la grange

[@speed_and_motion]

Great review

[@DriversOnly]

Thank you!

[@dano196568]

Great review, thanks. Buying one in 2 days...

[@DriversOnly]

Good choice!

[@kingsleychong913]

Very good video demo thanks.. I live in BC and we big have the 182HP available in the Outdoor Trim. I like the new beefy look of the new models...One thing I miss is the dual pipes. I have a Nissan Rogue and the storage is very similar. I love the AWD and the great nightlines. A whole lot safety features is the key for me..Well off to the dealer to see what kind of a deal I can get! Thanks dude for the great demo.

[@mikeystravels9720]

I am sitting patiently waiting to pick up my 2023 Crosstrek Outdoor. The last one in captivity, apparently. Love the trim level but will look at factory upgrade for lights.

[@raksh9]

A few people not liking the black cladding, but I wish it was extended across the rear bumper in a similar way to the front. Some dipwad ran into the back of mine at a stop light and left marks from his license plate screws in the paint. Had it been black cladding, it would have 'hurt' less.

[@angkorwatt57]

Subaru should make model sport to have color match outside and inside that make Crosstrek sports look awesome.

[@tyjandrews]

Subie Gang! Bought a brand new 2022 Limited last week (package 33). Dope. This thing gets looks with the 18" chrome rims, and idc about the loss of gas mileage. Most importantly, the upgraded sound system has a CD player!

[@chrismcelroy5193]

Got the Limited last weekend, great first impressions. LED headlights and fog lights are awesome! In cruise control on the interstate it kind of drives itself 😁

[@cherrymaeolpindo3810]

what is a limited edition

[@chrismcelroy5193]

@@cherrymaeolpindo3810 it’s a trim level.

[@serotonin33]

Trim plus leather seats and automatic rear brake system

[@tinkertrek]

Nice review

[@Hallowsaw]

I just got a 2020 crosstrek loaned to me while maintenance was being done on my legacy and i love it. Done 50 miles so far and i like the mpgs. Actually really comfortable seats, and good god i cant believe how much space is in it. Im 5'11 and the back seat has plenty of room even sitting behind myself. My only gripe so far is the CVT isnt as smooth in this vs. My wifes 2017 outback. Dont know if people ran the piss out of it causing it to run rough or it normally is like that. Like i said the outback we have is smoother

[@thealphaomega1]

I recently disposed of my ‘18 Outback. While fear is the mind killer, the CVT is the driver engagement destroyer. Kudos to Subaru for retaining the architecture that provides 8.7” of ground clearance. For the sake of comparison the Chevy Colorado Z71 has only 8.3”.

[@Reviews4Devices]

Hi is this 2.5l XV going to be released at Australia? Thank you

[@brianreardon7700]

Also great channel I subscribed last week.

[@DriversOnly]

Thanks Brian and welcome!

[@study7055]

Perfect color

[@stefankoles]

Great review.

[@DriversOnly]

Thanks!

[@tamanaco57]

I was waiting for this video. Excellent video review. I have the Limited on order and the only two things I wish I could get from the Sport are the dual X-Mode and the rugged-look gray alloy wheels. I guess the Sport wheels style only come in 17-inch and so it can not be made available on the Limited. The Limited comes with two tone 18-Inch wheels standard, but there's a STI 18-Inch gray Alloy Wheel "option" for $1,600. It was not too much of an "option" for me. Like others have mentioned, I wish the engine auto start/stop could be disabled and stay disabled after you power cycle the car. But... I'm happy to, at least, have a bypass button that I can press as part of the routine when I start up the car. I believe for other year trims the bypass option existed as option in the infotainment that you had to navigate through several screens to get to. One other thing that I also heard the Sport has that the limited does not... is a light on the rear hatch. Why they didn't put the USB ports under the armrest on the back of the armrest portion that faces the back seat is a mystery to me. Hopefully, someone will come up with an aftermarket mod to put them there. In the meantime I will get one or two long USB extension cables that can reach the back seats. Thanks again for the great review... I wouldn't be too upset if you added a Sport vs Limited features comparison video.

[@donbr1366]

This is engaging work :-)

[@chonk1071]

Rear armrests, ports, and led headlights without having to jump to Limited would be killer

[@vinl5000]

Just a heads up, you might want to play around with your video camera’s aperture. From the front, the Subaru looks “skinny” than it actually is. I have seen the 2021 Crosstrek and currently have the 2020 version and I don’t recall it being so slim.

[@yuqin405]

Exactly the same as my 2018 crosstrek sport trim. No surprise.

[@vg4902]

I really hope the industry moves away from "matte clad plastic" means rugged, sporty, and offroady... It just makes all these cars look cheap. And the thicker it is, the worse it looks.

[@suubierex9396]

V G | Agreed! I thought our 2018 model already had allot of cladding but i guess not. And you’re right about the whole industry following this trend, take the Mazda CX-30 as another example..

[@vg4902]

@@suubierex9396 Yeah, the cladding is everywhere and is starting to get ridiculous now. It just isn't attractive to me. The CX-30 is probably the only Mazda I would choose not to get in Soul Red Crystal Metallic. Since it highlights just how thick that plastic is... I would go with the Polymetal Gray just to blend/hide it as much as possible.

[@michaels999]

V G or black

[@vg4902]

@@michaels999 Yup, that works too.

[@rodneywk1]

My hope is they change that piano black plastic on the interior... horrid!

[@rubberducky4753]

Definitely prefer your reviews over others. I know most of your reviews are suv based but whats your take on a 5 door impreza or should one just go with a crosstrek? From what I gathered they're pretty much the same besides the crosstrek sits higher and costs more with a few minor little things.

[@DriversOnly]

Thanks. Honestly haven't reviewed an impreza yet so I can't compare. Hopefully in the near future.

[@hugojr5290]

Keep the Subaru reviews coming

[@Vanilla_Donut]

Interesting thing here is in Canada the equivalent of the Crosstrek Sport in the US is the Outdoor trim. This is slotted in between the Touring and Sport trim where the Sport trim does not have the 182 hp engine but the Limited above it does.

[@441meatloaf]

Canada and US always has different models in the mid-high range mainly because Canada has more needs due to the fact we live in the North with more winter and snow than the US. Canada was also the one that got dual climate controls which the USA didnt get in the later years. One of the key difference i remember is US owners complained that they cant use the defogger while using indoor cabin air, while Canadian models can.

[@Sacto1654]

I still wished the 2021 Crosstrek Sport and Limited used the new CB18 turbocharged engine that was recently unveiled on the Japanese market Levorg model. With 221 lb-ft of torque maximum (compared with 176 lb-ft of torque on the FB25D engine), it would have made the Crosstrek a lot more fun to drive, especially when driving at higher altitudes.

[@FilAmLove]

Nice color it’s my husband favorite. Hope someday we can own that....

[@2010kb1]

Got one and Love it

[@DriversOnly]

Congrats

[@charleybarley914]

you have me thinking about trading my 2017 Crosstrek limited for the new Sport

[@timothydooley1550]

Nice review.... Subie should have lifted the sport and put AT tires. Especially since it has 17” wheels. So many people are lifting them now. I have an ‘18 and the engine is fine. No rocket but fine. They could have put a little turbo on it and added the lift for less than a new motor. Just my 2 cents....

[@lilpeppa117G]

A 1.5 turbo and upgraded interior im sold

[@billbuckley7011]

just took delivery of a forester sport 2020 i love it magnetite grey :)

[@DriversOnly]

Congrats! Forester is a great car.

[@billbuckley7011]

@@DriversOnly it turns heads everyone is like wtf is that ?

[@fatwhitetuna6659]

i don't like the black rubber molding and bumpers. Does Subaru ever make the front n back bumpers in body paint?

[@NJRIII]

Fwiw. The black cladding sticks out less in black and plasma yellow stitching/badge look better. From the 2018 premium, the 2.5 is much better, the head unit doesnt lag horrifically. The startex is great feeling, smart driving features are a pleasant surprise.

[@mauiacupuncture446]

What about a Mini review?

[@canndoan5454]

Not a fan of that black cladding in the front. Jeeze, just seems like a cheap way of making it look "more rugged".

[@justaway9858]

Made it ugly and ol

[@supercooled]

It’s functional

[@nitric75]

@dissimetry There is a purpose for the cladding. i like the cladding. Extra protection from chipping by stones....

[@canndoan5454]

dissimetry lol chill

[@therealnoodles7638]

Its protection, rather have that than paint. These subaru SUV are made for outdoor. You want a city car, get a liberty

[@AKDGGGLHF]

I wished there was a manual option for the 2.5.

[@jwmurphy022381]

SAAAAAAAAME just got one same color as the one in the video and opted of the 2.2 because of the 6mt. I'm a manual elitist jerk and refuse to own anything but.

[@malwalker4437]

Thank you for a bloody good assessment

[@jondraper9505]

Good job

[@brianreardon7700]

Hmm.. not bad hp and lb-ft Numbers on the sport model.. I like it! Pretty good for the class ..

[@nancycowden7796]

@DriversOnly Looking at the Crosstrek but in the Limited trim. Did you drive that one also - or just the Sport?

[@DriversOnly]

Just the sport so far for 2021...will test limited in the future.

[@toronado455]

Seems like this is basically the Crosstrek version of the Outback ONYX trim.

[@Hallowsaw]

The real question is why are they not putting the FA20 engine in it? The FB25 has less power and is a bigger engine. Why not the fa subaru?

[@441meatloaf]

@@Hallowsaw FA20 is being phased out...why would they put an engine they are going to retire?

[@erniearruda8861]

Well cabin noise is your hearing a lot more is due to concrete with groves that go across the highway is more noisy then asphalt .Dosnt matter what kind off automobile you have it’s still the design of the road

[@jdty247]

I was looking for vids on subaru and saw your face that looked familiar haha. you were on MeetKevin's channel talking about Crypto. Didn't know you also do car reviews. Great discussion on crypto though.

[@DriversOnly]

Thanks!

[@GK-yk4eh]

I would like to get 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Sport/MRE

[@Edlifed]

Your reviews are the best. It looks like there's not too much of a difference between the old/new models, other than the 2.5L and lane centering (which everyone seems to love but aren't impressed by). Do you think it's worth buying the 2021 Limited Crosstrek ($29000) vs used Limited 2018 ($21000)/2019 ($24000) under 50k miles?

[@DriversOnly]

Thank you! The 2.5L is a big upgrade for power so yes I would say its worth it if you are comparing 2021 vs 2020 new. Now as for used, that's a different story, can't really compare.

[@Edlifed]

@@DriversOnly ahh, that’s my struggle right now because these cars don’t depreciate enough for me... which is a blessing and a curse. Thanks, though.

[@tronglieu3931]

Where are the cross bars on the roof?

[@haze1123]

If you look at the Subaru owner forums, there are TONS of complaints about the automatic engine start/stop system. The complaints are mostly that the restarts are very rough, even in brand-new vehicles. And in the Outback, there is no physical disable button -- it's buried in an on-screen menu. Think about this: If restarts feel rough when brand-new, imagine how junky it will feel at 50K or 100K miles. No thanks! Great review, though. Good job.

[@JeffSpehar-ov1cn]

There is a on off button on the crosstrek. Pretty easy, start the car and turn it off, no problem.

[@yvonng9941]

Good job! Is the crosstrek made in Japan?

[@dano196568]

Yes

[@subaruforester5062]

Nice but it can be better. I wanna see 200 HP and rear vents and charging for rear passengers. A sport shoulda came with a lift skid plates and AT tires. Subaru can really make more money if they wanted

[@edrader]

they'd go broke

[@DS..69]

No one cares about whether ppls in back can charge their phones. Lol

[@pattran3030]

I was interested in this car but then was turned off because of the CVT. My last car, a Nissan, the CVT broke down only after four years

[@gusrui]

Is the engine still having problems at a high mileage rate?

[@Kev-----]

Love the look But does the this motor use OIL!!!!!!!!!!

[@davebennett3415]

Canadians note: this is the Outdoor model here - The sport is manual with the 2.0 doesn't have the fancy options.

[@user-gj6oz9xp7p]

wrong!!

[@thering0010]

I’d think about the Sport trim, but I gotta have that 6 speed manual. CVTs are lame, and I wanna shift myself. Otherwise, this car looks pretty sweet for being so much cheaper than the competition.

[@billbuschgen520]

I heard if you have to have your windshield replaced it can cost you$1000 due to eyesight having to be realigned?

[@Hutmacher09]

If you got one of these in brown, it would look like Action Hank from Dexter's Lab. That front bumper cladding is ridiculous...

[@jonggajonggay1839]

Just want to ask about the Crosstrek sport,is it led headlight?

[@ofcbob6391]

Nope, you have to go to Limited trim. Sport has lousy halogen, not even projector halogen.

[@johnnyquest456]

Pole Katz has 10 dollar Tuesdays!? Count me in

[@Jackmerius_Tacktheretrix]

Love it but the plastic cladding reminds me of a rav4 from the side.

[@JohnnyUkeOfficial]

The new engine is a welcomed edition. But how do you not have rear vents or usb ports in the back in 2020? Other manufacturers just give more as far as tech and connectivity. Also heard their infotainment systems are bad hence the lawsuit against the company.

[@tonyw2167]

Although it has a bigger engine option from the last model, the fact that the seat still does not tilt (i.e. six way driver seat) may be a deal breaker for me as a 5’11” guy.

[@anthonys5581]

I’m 6’2” and I fit perfectly in the Crosstrek.

[@gregwalker4236]

as a used car buyer, i just can't get there because the reputation for longevity is not great and having to buy four tires when one goes bad (true of most other brands maybe with all wheel/four wheel). wish they had a model without all wheel drive and a manual transmission that was not a sports car (BRZ). too many reports of head gasket problems at around 60k miles...

[@aaronmajchen982]

Last night I played a drinking game where I took a shot everytime "brand new" was spoken. I blacked out in 38 seconds.

[@1717jbs]

I'm just looking for lumbar.

[@double_courage57]

exactly! only reason keeping me off this car.

[@znelson72]

Sport mode only available with the CVT doesn't seem very "sport" to me

[@maldonadosoto]

Hermoso 💯♥️👏🏾

[@jsr-yu9bk]

Heyy I recognize that road and construction site lol Lagrange 15:30

[@Josh_GT500]

The sport should come with LED headlights/fog lights. Or it should be an option at the least. Those ugly halogens just don’t cut it in this day and age. My 2020 Forester Sport has LED lights.

[@JeffSpehar-ov1cn]

No need for LED lights.

[@peetydontpass8309]

I bought me a 2022 and it is supposed to be delivered this month. I wanted a sport with a manual transmission. They told me it was in a basic and premium but not a sport??? No Manual Transmission For A Sport??? Why Call It A Sport?

[@zogadwoe]

Won't waste my money on it. I miss the forester xt. The outback xt onyx is fun but subaru please enough with the cvt. It doesn't allow you to fully enjoy the turbo. Anyway, good video

[@seanb9698]

If they made the Crosstrek with the WRX power and drivetrain I'd instantly be at the dealership

[@ejhayes76]

Agree but the 30+ HP does help some. The car is average now, Instead of slow.

[@441meatloaf]

@@ejhayes76 Its not average its actually on par with pretty much all the same segment of cars. Closest competitor is Mazda CX30 which has 186 HP just 4 more which is not noticeable. Rogue has less HP, CRV has more at 190 at the top but most reviewers disliked the Honda more due to less than stellar handling and infotainment.

[@seanb9698]

Ed Hayes too bad they don’t let you pair the 6mt with the higher hp engine, I’d probably check that out even

[@Shishizurui]

there would be a 1 year wait list for that, it would be so hot, a sporty crossover with some punch people'd be trading in WRX sedans, jeeps and everything for that.

[@441meatloaf]

@@Shishizurui I doubt subaru would change it in the meantime considering the newer generation has the forestor engine. At most maybe in the future a 200 HP engine from the BRZ. If they start putting turbos in the crosstrek it will kill WRX sales which the new one is due in 2022. It will also make the forestor a pointless product as people would buy crosstrek XT versions over it. What they need i think is a better impreza give other people a reason to buy the impreza with a forestor engine vs a WRX as not everyone likes a WRX rough riding suspension.

[@bruin098]

I'm confused, what're the paddle shifters for if it's an automatic

[@jgoge123]

It has manual mode as well, by moving the stick to the left.

[@franimal007]

Subaru was not too concerned on safety as they should have made the steerable LED headlights on every trim.

[@stuntmonkey00]

I don't know who keeps putting the sub-compact designation on this. It's the exact same body shell as the Impreza, which is solidly a compact.

[@kevinW826]

stuntmonkey00 the government department of transportation.

[@velavanlaack9134]

When are they going to make the Impreza 200 hp? 152hp is really underpower

[@JeffSpehar-ov1cn]

This has 182, pay attention.

[@kl1958]

So in your opinion the bigger engine is well worth the money. Thinking of buying a new vehicle in the next month that is why I am asking.

[@DriversOnly]

Yes and everything else you get. I think the sport trim gives a lot for the money.

[@kl1958]

@@DriversOnly OK Thanks. You are awesome! Thanks very much!

[@nzrestoration9486]

It’s just a shame it’s only available in the USA, the rest of us get the scraps of the old 2 litre!

[@chonk1071]

Not the fan of the acid yellow on the interior, especially in the cool grey khaki

[@SG-sz5vh]

I agree with the other commenter..far, far too much cheap black cladding. Imo, it does not make it look rugged. It makes it look cheap as if subaru stylists could not be bothered making it good looking. (The cladding comment applies to other cuvs, as well)

[@jackiesalas9105]

AGREED! that's why we went with the limited. So much better.